[FOUR THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT …] After missing out on the 2010 finals, the USA will look to return to the Under-17 Women’s World Cup, and one of the stars of theteam preparing for qualifying in May is Joanna Boyles, who has been a fixture in the age group. The central midfielder for CASL’s Chelsea Ladies plans to stayclose to home, enrolling at North Carolina in 2013. For four things to know about Boyles …

PROUD TO WEAR CREST. Boyles has climbed the ladderthrough the U-14, U-15 and U-17 girls programs and has loved the experience. “I can’t put into words the camp experience on or off the field,” she says. “To be part of something so large. Wearing the USA crest gives me chills, especially whenthe national anthem is played.”

TROPHY COLLECTION. Boyles was a key member of the Chelsea Ladies, who won the ENCL national title in 2011 after theyreached the semifinals in the first year of the competition. She also won a Super-Y League national title in 2008, and CASL finished second at the U.S. Youth Soccer Championship in 2009 as U-14s.

CLASSROOM WHIZ. With a 4.6 GPA at Raleigh’s Sanderson High School, Boyles could pretty much go anywhere she wanted, but she has verbally committed toNorth Carolina.

FUTURE PLANS. Boyles has played under CASL coach Damon Nahas, whose success earned him theU-15 national team coaching job. She’d like to follow suit and coach one day. “To teach the game I love brings me joy and I want to give back,” she says.

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  2. So proud of Joanna Boyles. She is an outstanding soccer player and a wonderful young lady. She absolutely LOVES the game of soccer and gives it her ALL. Praying that she will go all the way to the TOP, no one is anymore deserving than Joanna to represent the USA!!

  3. Joanna Boyles is a beautiful, very intelligent and talented young lady. She was born to play soccer. She was born with a special gift and is amazing to watch!!!!! She comes from a wonderful Southern Family Heritage and her late Grandfather, Mr. Aaron Guilford Wilder, is looking down from above very proud. I would love to see her represent the USA Women’s Soccer Team at the Olympics in the near future. If anyone could represent the USA proudly it would be Joanna Bess Boyles.

  4. WOW….4,000 people like this article on facebook. Joanna Boyles….I would say you are LOVED and thought very highly of as a soccer player. I say, Reach for the Stars…don’t let ANYTHING stop you from reaching your goal!

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